Bernell DorroughOut of more than 900 applicants, two Washington University students were chosen as Rhodes Scholars over the weekend.
One of the winners, senior Allison Gilmore, said she can hardly believe it.
“I could not believe both students from the University won,” she said. “I keep asking myself if it’s really real.”
Gilmore’s fellow honoree, Bethany Ehlmann, agreed.
“I wasn’t very confident after my interview,” she said. “So I was shocked and thrilled when they announced the winners.”
The application process is broken down into three stages. First, a student’s college or university must endorse applicants. Then selection committees in each state make nominations based on applicant interviews. Students who pass this stage move on to appear before district committees in eight cities across the country; four finalists are eventually selected from each of the eight regions. Winners are chosen in accordance with the standards set by the will of Cecil Rhodes, based on high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership, and physical vigor.
Gilmore said that all the interviews were very tense.
“The interviews were the most nerve-wracking, but they were also the most fun,” she said. “You have to go in with the attitude that it’s just the luck of the draw. I felt ready for anything they could throw at me because we did a lot of mock run-throughs beforehand.”
Despite the intimidating atmosphere of the interviews, both agreed that the personal statement required on the application was the hardest part of the process. Ehlmann said it took her eight drafts.
“It was hard getting the personal statement down and in a way I wanted it to be,” she said.
Now that everything is over, both are thrilled and ready for new experiences as they join the other winners at Oxford next year.
Gilmore is receiving a B.A. and an M.A. in mathematics at the end of this year from Washington University, and she is also involved in politics, political activism and social networking theory. At Oxford, Gilmore plans to pursue a Masters of Philosophy in sociology.
“It brings everything in my life together,” she said. “The program gives me the freedom to study whatever I want to study. This is phenomenal because I don’t have to worry about grad school or career choices. I get to pursue something that I’m really passionate about.”
Ehlmann is currently majoring in earth and planetary sciences and environmental studies. In addition to being thrilled at the chance to pursue a Masters of Science in environmental geomorphology at Oxford, she says the overall experience will be enlightening.
“It’s really exciting because Rhodes Scholars come from all over, and it brings together people from all disciplines at Oxford,” she said. “To get to know future leaders and just to have the experience is really exciting.”
Both are extremely involved in activities outside the classroom as well. Ehlmann is a Goldwater Scholar, Udall Scholar, and Compton Scholar. She has served as a collaborating scientist on the NASA Mars exploration mission and is president of the nationally qualifying Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team.
Gilmore is a Byrd Scholar and a Compton Scholar. She is also president of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy and a leader of the University Stop the War coalition.
Both feel they owe much of their success to helpful advisors, including Deans Dirk Killen and Sharon Stahl, plus Michael Cannon and Lars Arvidson. These mentors provided help with mock interviews, letters of recommendation and words of wisdom.
Stahl said she was extremely happy and proud.
“I think it’s wonderful for them personally, and it’s also wonderful for the College of Arts & Sciences and the University as a whole,” said Stahl. “They’re both outstanding women-they’re both very involved in the community and are very strong students.”
Sarah Johnson and Ian Klaus from the University were named as scholars three years ago, and the year before that, Ben Cannon received the honor.
“Ben was the first the University had had in quite a while,” said Stahl. “Having these scholars is a reflection about the kind of students that come here-someone that is not only involved in academics, but also strongly involved in the community.”